WILMINGTON — A 10-foot-long alligator chomped down on a man's right arm then let him go while the man was swimming in a lake Sunday afternoon, officials said.

Floyd Masters, who's around 40, was treated for unknown injuries Sunday night at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. The injuries are not life-threatening, said Wilmington police Lt. J.D. Varrone.

Masters, of Wilmington, told police he was swimming in Greenfield Lake when he was attacked by the powerful reptile near a wooden observation deck overlooking the water. Signs prohibiting swimming or disturbing alligators are posted around the lake.

Mike Core was standing on the deck with a friend when he saw a man go into the lake behind the city pumping station.

"This dude jumped in the lake and we saw him bobbing along in the water and we saw the alligator coming," Core said. The alligator made a beeline toward the disturbance in the water created by Masters, witnesses said.

"It latched right on to him. It was cutting right across the water and it got him," Core said. "I kept telling him, 'The alligator's coming. Get out! Get out!' "

Core and his friend were able to get Masters away from the shoreline, and he used his shirt to make a tourniquet for the bleeding arm. Core said Masters also had bite marks on his chest, stomach and hand.

State wildlife officials and local police are investigating.

Masters was not available for comment.

Submitted on 07/04/2005

Submitted by: Andy Neumann
Reference: The Associated Press 7/04/2005

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
"Signs? What signs?" I can't decide if this is a case of simple or arrogant stupidity, but stupidity it is. I have to wonder if he'll go back into the gene pool - uh, lake - for a rematch after he heals from this close enounter of the Darwin kind...

Kelly said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I wonder if the man was capable of reading english. He might not have been, in which case, it would be an innocent accident. Do you have a link to the story?

Charles said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Have to side with Kelly, here. Could the victim even read? If he could understand English, by the time people were shouting at him, it was too late for him to stop... a reference would really help.

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